May 8, 1945

With the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht on May 8th, 1945, the war in Europe comes to an end. British forces will take over the airfield at Schleswig-Land and will claim a total of 8 Messerschmitt Me 262 – 6 of which belonging to 10./NJG 11:

furthermore, we know from Karl-Heinz Becker’s flight log that he has taken “Rote 2”, a Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a, to Schleswig-Land.

In addition, a Messerschmitt Me 262 B-1a (regular twin-seat trainer) and a second Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a with the Werknummer 112 372 are found at the airfield. Also a third Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a, Werknummer 500 443, frequently said to have been flown by Major Erich Rudorffer of JG 7. Which would bring the total to the 8 aircraft mentioned in a British report.

Currently, the exact list of Werknummern and/or tactical markings of the 10./NJG 11 aircraft found in Schleswig are open to discussion. It should have been six aircraft, which leaves 2 aircraft to come from other units. Four were Me 262 B-1a/U1 interim night fighters, one was “Rote 2” – the last one is a mystery…